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Feedback: Navy critic was way off base

Wow, I never realized there were big enough rocks on Whidbey Island where someone could live under for so long (Letters, Garrett Newkirk, Sept. 10).

"The Navy base should close due to air noise."

Air noise? I didn't realize that air made noise. I know that the airplanes make a lot of noise, that's why I live in an area where they don't fly over.

Common sense and good planning.

"Lack of regard for Oak Harbor residents."

I'll go out on a limb here and say that a good portion of "Oak Harbor residents" are active duty military, retired military or dependents of the military.

"Close the base and attract Microsoft or Boeing."

Please tell us you are joking.

Don't you read the papers or watch TV? What is going to make Boeing want to move from Renton, Boeing field, Everett or any of the other Boeing manufacturing facilities around the nation, the easy access to the island?

The port facilities in which to ship and receive raw and finished materials? Because there is an abundance of jobs at Microsoft or Boeing and they need to expand?

"Businesses that give to the community."

Give? Give what? Employment to local residents? What would happen if the largest employer in Island County pulled up stakes and left? You really think that there are companies that are willing to leap in and fill the void left by the people and paychecks of the Navy people who left Oak Harbor?

The "awful eyesore on the beach."

Yes, so what do you think is going to happen if the Navy leaves? That the Seaplane base will be leveled and reclaimed for nature? More than likely I can see more houses being built there, perhaps a medium sized mall for all of the people who would be living in the new housing.

What about Ault Field? I doubt that Oak Harbor or Island County would let that airfield or the property go to waste. I figure that in order for Oak Harbor and Island County to make up the lost revenue from the loss of jobs after the Navy leaves they will have to attract some sort of manufacturing based economy there. Perhaps turn the airfield into a feeder for SeaTac and make it a local distribution hub for cargo such as FedX and UPS. Just think of all those nice semi-trucks on Hwy 20 that would bring, not to mention 24 hour flight ops at the airfield.

And just think, there is plenty of space out behind the airfield to develop more housing.

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